St-Pierre gets controversial victory at UFC 167

LAS VEGAS – Johny Hendricks thought he had it in the bank. Two judges had other ideas.

Georges St-Pierre retained his UFC welterweight crown with a controversial split decision over Hendricks in the UFC 167 headliner Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Two of the three judges – Sal D’Amato and Tony Weeks – cast 48-47 scorecards for St-Pierre (25-2, 19-2). The third, Glenn Trowbridge, sided with Hendricks by the same score.

St. Pierre has won his last 12 bouts, none more debated than this one.

“Listen, there was a lot of talk about what was going to happen,” St-Pierre said. “I have a bunch of stuff in my life happening. I need to hang up my gloves for a little bit and make a point of (focusing) on my life. I have to step away for a little bit. That’s all I can say right now. I just got punched a little bit. Later on, I’ll make a point on that, but right now I have to go away for a little bit.”

Hendricks (15-2, 10-2 UFC) landed the heavier blows and exacted more of a physical toll during the 25-minute encounter.

“I thought I clearly won the fight,” Hendricks said. “Georges was a great guy. Did you guys see the same fight that I just fought? I’m pretty sure I won. Georges was a great competitor, and my hat is off to him.”

Onetime light-heavyweight champion Rashad Evans smashed through Chael Sonnen with first-round ground-and-pound in the co-main event. Evans (19-3-1, 14-3-1) brought it to a close 4:05 into Round 1, delivering his first finish since he stopped Tito Ortiz at UFC 133 more than two years ago.

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